Post-Kolkata Post from Brian

This summer has been pretty hectic and busy but I have finally hit a lull in my summer and things have slowed down.  Due to this I realized I never posted a blog that I had written on my phone.  I figured it is always better late than never so I wanted to post this story…

Today at Daya Dan, during the time we would normally teach classes we watched movies instead due to construction. During the movie I sat next to a child who have severe cerebral palsy. His name is Bernard.  We washed the wheelchairs earlier that day so the children had to sit in regular chairs. My job was to sit next to Bernard to make sure he did not fall out of his chair.

While I was sitting next to Bernard he kept on saying "more, more." Due to Bernard's condition he is only able to say a few words at a time. I thought he was excited we were watching another movie so I just smiled and said back, "Yes, more movies."  He then said it again to me and I then realized a girl sitting in front of him was blocking his view of the screen. I asked him if he wanted to move to another spot. He responded with a head nod saying "more, more." I proceeded to pick him up and move him to a spot where he had a clear view of the screen. When I put him down he looked up at me with the biggest smile. 

Five minutes later another girl sat down in front of him. I asked him "more, more?" And he smiled back saying "more, more!" So I then moved him to another spot, receiving the same big smile when I placed him down.

It was a very nice feeling being able to communicate with Bernard.  It was humble to see how happy Bernard became doing something as simple as communicating with someone.

-Brian '16